Exactly why three Gloucester men had a sawn-off shotgun in the their car is a secret at least one of them will take with him to prison.

Santino 'Sonny' Lanciano will spend the next nine years behind bars after being found guilty of transferring a sawn-off shotgun. The 26-year-old, of Bathurst Road, Gloucester, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday following a three-day trial there in June. It was held in Salisbury because Gloucester Crown Court is over-capacity.

Sonny Lanciano

Kieran Robinson, 19, and Stephen Gilby, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a sawn-off shotgun and possession of cannabis.

The convictions of the men followed a detailed investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary Serious & Organised Crime Unit which involved surveillance officers and painstaking detective work.

The sawn-off shotgun

Honour Judge Parkes sentenced Lanciano from Bathurst Road, Gloucester, to nine years custodial sentence for the offence. Lanciano also admitted to being in possession of cocaine and cannabis.

Robinson, from Ince Castle Way, Gloucester, and Gilby, from Salisbury Road, Gloucester will be sentenced at a later date.

Stephen Gilby

Kieran Robinson

A fourth man, Anthony Smith, 47, and of Regent Street, was found not guilty of conspiring to possess a sawn-off shotgun following the trial.

On July 13 last year armed police stopped a silver Citroen vehicle in Regent Street, Gloucester, after observations from undercover officers showed the occupants were seen to attend the area of Lanciano's home address.

A sawn-off shotgun was discovered in the rear of the car and Gilby was arrested. Both Robinson and Lanciano were arrested later the same day at their home addresses.

Case officer Detective Constable Col Sheppard said: "This is a case that presented a very real risk to the public. We don't know the intentions of these men or why they had the weapon, only that there is no legitimate purpose for having such a dangerous article. The potential harm that could have been caused goes without saying.

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"This should serve as a lesson to anyone thinking of becoming involved in this type of criminality. You will be targeted, you will be convicted and you can expect lengthy prison sentences. The fact that these criminals are now off the streets is thanks to the dedication and hard work of Gloucestershire officers.

"I would encourage anyone who may have concerns about someone they know to be involved in this or any other type of criminal activities to contact police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."